Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SMILED AT FUNERALS
Anthony Rourke had a gift for appearing harmless.
He wore expensive suits.
Remembered birthdays.
Sent flowers to widows.
Donated to children's hospitals.
And smiled at funerals with such convincing sadness that nobody questioned whether he had helped create the occasion.
Declan had trusted him for fifteen years.
That was his greatest mistake.
Detective Bennett's investigation revealed a disturbing pattern.
Several shipments connected to Declan's legitimate waterfront businesses had disappeared.
Insurance claims had been falsified.
Payments were routed through companies controlled by Anthony.
The illegal dog-training facility appeared in the same financial network.
Mave listened as Declan explained.
“Why use Brutus?”
Declan rubbed his face.
“Because he was always beside me.”
She frowned.
“And?”
“If Anthony could trigger him in public, he could make me look unstable. Dangerous. Unfit to control the businesses.”
Mave stared.
“The restaurant.”
Declan nodded.
“The three men were there to provoke a confrontation.”
“And Toby got caught in it.”
Declan's expression darkened.
“Yes.”
Mave looked toward the window.
A young busboy had nearly lost his life because two powerful men were fighting over money.
The thought made her sick.
That evening, she visited Toby.
He was recovering at home.
His shoulder was healing.
But he startled at sudden noises.
Mave sat beside him.
“How are you?”
He shrugged.
“Okay.”
She waited.
Finally, he whispered:
“I keep hearing him growl.”
Mave's heart tightened.
“Have you told the doctor?”
Toby nodded.
“They said it might take time.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Then take time.”
When she left, Declan was waiting outside.
He had arranged to cover Toby's medical care and lost wages, but had also accepted that financial compensation did not erase what happened.
Mave looked at him.
“He's nineteen.”
Declan nodded.
“I know.”
“He trusted us to keep him safe at work.”
“I know.”
She studied him.
“Then do something that matters.”
Declan looked up.
“Like what?”
“Stop pretending your world only hurts the people who choose to enter it.”
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
The next morning, Declan gave investigators access to financial records from his waterfront operations.
It was a dangerous decision.
Those records might implicate him in crimes unrelated to Anthony.
His attorney warned him.
Declan understood.
But he signed the authorization.
That evening, Anthony Rourke received a message.
DECLAN IS COOPERATING.
Anthony stared at it.
Then smiled.
“Good.”
He picked up his phone.
“Move the shipment.”
A voice answered.
“Tonight?”
Anthony looked toward the harbor.
“Tonight.”
May you like
Then he added:
“And make sure the waitress doesn't see tomorrow.”
